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Computer Science
Information Systems (CSIS)

Course listings for Computer Science Information Systems

Faculty
Professors Evans J. Adams, Lawrence S. Corman, Laszlo Szuecs, and Carla C. Williams
Associate Professor James A. Wixom
Assistant Professor Herb Snyder

The interdisciplinary major leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science Information Systems (CSIS) combines the fields of computer science (the science of creating computer software) and information systems (the application of computer software). The program emphasizes breadth of knowledge and the development of written and oral communication skills, which are trademarks of a liberal arts education, combined with professional competence in computer science and/or information systems. The student may specialize in these fields by choosing the Computer Science Option or the Information Systems Option described below.

The primary objectives of the curriculum are to ensure that every graduate is thoroughly familiar with the fundamental principles of modern computer science and information systems; understands how these principles relate to software, hardware, and systems design; and is familiar with at least one significant area of applications of computers. Other major objectives include: providing graduates with the ability to understand a variety of problem-solving algorithms; familiarity with several programming languages for implementing these algorithms; understanding of hardware and/or software systems; the ability to make informed choices of software and hardware for a variety of problems; and an understanding of the role that human factors play in implementing computer-based systems.

Computer Science generally refers to the application of scientific and engineering principles to the development of software products. Students choosing the Computer Science Option will receive training far beyond the ability to write programs that work. Software engineers must construct program systems that work efficiently and are comprehensible so that modification can be performed effectively when required. Software maintenance is as much a part of software engineering as the creation of new software.

Selection of the Information Systems Option generally leads to a career as a systems analyst, database administrator, network administrator, information system manager, or software project manager. These positions are responsible for choosing the right hardware and software for a particular data-processing problem and for organizing the database in a suitable form. A significant portion of the courses for this option also will address the concepts of software engineering and software project management as they apply to the development of large-scale software systems. A growing number of systems analysts also design and maintain computer networks.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE WITH A MAJOR OF COMPUTER SCIENCE INFORMATION SYSTEMS

The Computer Science Option

General Education Credits
Comp 150 or Comp 125/126 ..........4-8
Library 150 ..........1
PE/Wellness (ES 100 plus 1 skills, 1 fitness) ..........3
Thematic Studies I (1 course in each of 4 knowledge areas;
     1 must be a science with attached lab) ..........12-16
Thematic Studies II (1 course in each of 4 knowledge areas;
     prerequisites: Comp 150, Lib 150, all 4 Thematic Studies I      courses) ..........12-16
*Tier II writing requirement is part of the Major

Total ..........32-44

Specific Departmental Requirements
CSIS 110 Introduction to Programming (C++) ..........4
CSIS 230 Object-Oriented Programming in C++ ..........4
CSIS 310 Data Structures ..........4
CSIS 321 Computer Architecture and Organization ..........4

One of the two following sequences:

CSIS 320 Assembly Language Programming ..........4
AND
CSIS 421 Operating Systems ..........4
OR
CSIS 328 Fundamentals of Data Communications ..........4
AND
CSIS 428 Computer Networks and Internets ..........4
*CSIS 361W Computers and Human Issues ..........4
Three additional CSIS courses numbered above 300 (except CSIS 495),
chosen with approval of CSIS faculty ..........12
CSIS 496 Senior Seminar ..........2

Subtotal ..........42

Auxiliary Department Requirements
Math 201 Elementary Statistics ..........4
Math 221 Calculus I ..........4
Math 305 Discrete Mathematical Structures ..........4
Math 320 Numerical Analysis
OR
Math 360 Introduction to Operations Research ..........3-4

Subtotal ..........15-16

Electives ..........18-31

TOTAL REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION ..........120

The Information Systems Option

General Education Credits
Comp 150 or Comp 125/126 ..........4-8
Library 150 ..........1
PE/Wellness (ES 100 plus 1 skills, 1 fitness) ..........3
Thematic Studies I (1 course in each of 4 knowledge areas;
     1 must be a science with attached lab) ..........12-16
Thematic Studies II (1 course in each of 4 knowledge areas;
     prerequisites: Comp 150, Lib 150, all 4 Thematic Studies I      courses) ..........12-16
*Tier II writing requirement is part of the Major

Total ..........32-44

Specific Departmental Requirements
CSIS 105 The Computer as a Tool ..........4
CSIS 106 Introduction to Programming in Visual Basic ..........4
CSIS 110 Introduction to Programming (C++) ..........4
CSIS 240 Advanced Programming (COBOL) ..........4
CSIS 350 Database Management Systems ..........4
CSIS 360 Software Engineering I: Systems Analysis
*CSIS 361W Computers and Human Issues ..........4
CSIS 370 Software Engineering II: Systems Design and      Implementation ..........4
TWO additional CSIS courses numbered above 300 (except CSIS 495), chosen with approval of faculty ..........8
CSIS 496 Senior Seminar ..........2

Subtotal ..........42

Auxiliary Department Requirements
Math 201 Elementary Statistics
OR
BA 253 Business Statistics ..........4
Math 210 Calculus for Business and the Biological
      Sciences ..........4
BA 353 Operations Management
OR
Math 360 Introduction to Operations Research ..........4

Subtotal ..........12

Electives ..........22-34

TOTAL REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION ..........120

As part of the General Electives requirement for graduation, students majoring in CSIS are strongly encouraged to complete a minor (or the equivalent of a minor) in any field of study offered at the College. By doing so, the student will (a) solidify his/her liberal arts education and (b) be prompted to pay close attention to career planning during the last two years of study. The choice of the minor should be discussed with the student’s CSIS advisor.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN COMPUTER SCIENCE INFORMATION SYSTEMS:

CSIS 110 Introduction to Programming (C++) ..........4
CSIS 230 Object-Oriented Programming in C++
OR
CSIS 240 Advanced Programming (COBOL) ..........4
Three additional CSIS courses (except CSIS 495), at least 2 of which are numbered above 300 ..........12

Total ..........20


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